Friday begins Thor Masters 2026 in Nykobing Falster, Denmark and, as usual, it is an event that is attracting a healthy amount of participation from many of the sport’s best competitors. 87 and 97 kilograms in particular are at press time the two most stocked weight categories in terms of talent, but 67 kg is in that conversation, as well.
As for the United States’ roster, it is a mix between those who might profile more as developing prospects and well-established Seniors. ’21 World Team member and perennial contender Jesse Porter (82 kg, NYAC) will be making his fourth Thor Masters appearance (’18, ’19, and ’23) and he is obviously one who fits the description of an established Senior. Porter, 28, was injured in Match 1 of the World Team Trials last year against Beka Melelashvili (NYAC) but has since returned to competition and in February placed 5th at the Grand Prix Zagreb Open.
Duncan Nelson (67 kg, Air Force/WCAP), Fritz Schierl (82 kg, Minnesota Storm), George Sikes (82 kg, NYAC), and ’23 Final X runner-up Christian DuLaney (97 kg, Minnesota Storm) are likewise highly-experienced athletes who have logged varying degrees of overseas mileage. In fact, Nelson, Schierl, and DuLaney themselves will not be new to Thor Masters as all three have previously competed in the event.
Though he is still technically new to Senior Greco-Roman, Riley Lomenick (63 kg, NYAC) is certainly an American to watch out for at Thor Masters. Lomenick, a very powerful and physical competitor, has steadily improved since becoming a full-timer two years ago and is inching closer and closer to gaining the seasoning and skill-set necessary to make Senior-level Teams. This trip to Denmark, counting both the tournament and its accompanying training camp, could be a difference-maker for him both in the short term and long.
97 kg in the US needs bodies. Behind World Team member Michial Foy, there is a lack of depth and the weight category stateside is limited to only a few names who might have the wherewithal to challenge Foy’s place atop the pecking order. DuLaney is clearly one of them, as he was within reach of a World Team spot just a few years ago. Keith Miley (Arkansas RTC) also hopes to take such a step. Miley, both a U23 Pan-Am Championships gold and World Teamer in ’24, is doing his part this season by getting himself exposed to more overseas looks, as evidenced by his competing in Zagreb last month and signing up for this tour. Miley could develop into a force with which to be reckoned should he continue investing, appropriately, in fast-tracking his inventory for what 97 kg requires internationally.
Previous Thor Masters Experience
— DuLaney — ’23 (12th)
— Nelson — ’25 (5th)
— Schierl — ’23 (9th)
The entirety of the US roster for Thor Masters 2026 is as follows:
55 kg: William Jakeway (OPTC)
63 kg: Riley Lomenick (NYAC)
67 kg: Duncan Nelson (Air Force/WCAP)
77 kg: Drew Allgeyer (MI)
82 kg: Fritz Schierl (Minnesota Storm)
82 kg: George Sikes (NYAC)
87 kg: Hank Baronowski (NMU/NTS)
87 kg: Christian Rouleau (Minnesota Storm)
97 kg: Christian DuLaney (Minnesota Storm)
97 kg: Cody Kwak (NMU/NTS)
97 kg: Keith Miley (Arkansas RTC)
130 kg: Jimmy Hustoles (NMU/NTS)
Thor Masters Schedule & Streaming
Thor Masters is run using the “Nordic System” format (A/B pools, double elimination) and this year’s version of the event will begin on Friday afternoon local time and conclude Saturday evening. Streaming information can be found at this link.
*All times +6 hrs ET.
Friday, March 20
1:30pm-6:30pm — Preliminary rounds
Saturday, March 21
10:30am-2:30pm — Preliminary rounds
2:30pm-4:00pm — Bronze-medal matches
4:30pm-6:30pm — Finals
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